Holiday Traditions make the holidays more exciting, don’t you think? Some of the best traditions are ones that form themselves, the unplanned ones that find a place year after year. I’m sharing 3 holiday traditions that happen year after year that make our season more special, these are the traditions my son will remember.

When I got married, I was excited to start new traditions as well as blend in a few from my childhood. Especially after we had our son, it was all about making holiday memories.

3 Holiday Traditions

1. When my son was 2, I informally invited 3 of my girlfriends and their children over to decorate cookies one afternoon. We gathered the kids around the table with a bunch of cookie decorating supplies and decorated as many cookies as possible before the kids lost their focus. It was great for the kids, but also for us young moms. By the 3rd year, we realized we had created a tradition.

The kids were now looking forward to our annual cookie decorating party. We moved it to a weekend evening so the dads could come too. We added cupcakes and of course we have a LOT of appetizers. This year we’ll have 2 coming home from college to attend, they specifically ask for us to wait til they’re home so they can come! This will be our 12th year I believe. It’s become a wonderful tradition! It’s much more than just cookies.

2. The other tradition that can’t be missed is making my dad’s famous Peanut Butter Fudge. My dad past away in 2001, which makes this recipe even more special year after year. I don’t remember my dad cooking much, but I do remember him making this fudge without following a recipe. I remember scraping the pan and being amazed every time how delicious it tasted.

I also loved how he never poured it into a square casserole dish, but would butter a plate and pour onto the plate, making thin pieces of fudge. Every year……this happened. And now, every year, I make it for my family. I think I’ll make up a batch for my sister’s birthday in December and surprise her.

Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

3 C. Sugar

3/4 C. Butter

3/4 C. evaporated Milk

4 HEAPING tablespoons Peanut Butter

7 oz jar of marshmallow cream

1 C. Nuts (chopped) I don’t always use nuts.

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Combine sugar, butter and milk in med sauce pan

2. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly.

3. Continue to boil, stirring for 5 min over med heat. (I usually stir until about 234-238 degree’s)

4. Remove from heat

5. Add Peanut butter, stir til melted

6. Add marshmallow cream, nuts and vanilla

7. Pour into buttered 9×9 in pan. ( I use a larger one since I like my fudge thinner. My dad used a plate and got several out of it)

Enjoy!

3. The last tradition I’m sharing is making holiday gifts for neighbors. Homemade gifts are the best! We do dipped pretzels and pretzel rods year after year, but have started incorporating a few other yummy treats.